Identify The Best Career Option: What is IELTS? IELTS Exam / Eligibility / Test Structure / Fees.

Every year thousands of candidates apply for overseas studies, jobs, and immigration. For entry to these countries candidates has to prove their command over English language. For that they have to take different kind of language test. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is considered good for candidates applying for US, but for countries using British English, score of International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is given importance.

What is IELTS ?

IELTS, or International English Language Testing System, is an international standardised test of English Language proficiency. It is jointly managed by University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations, the British Council and IDP Education Pty Ltd and was established in 1989.

IELTS is recognised by more than 7,000 institutions in over 135 countries.

In countries like New Zealand, Canada, UK, and Australia score of IELTS is compulsory, to enter in education institutes and professional organisations.

Who can take the test ?

Candidates who are looking for

1. Education in
UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or US.

2. Studying Medicine in UK, Australia or America.

3. Stay or job in Canada, Australia or New Zealand.

IELTS Exam.

Candidates are tested in listening, reading, writing and speaking. All candidates take the same Listening and Speaking Modules. There is a choice between Academic and General Training in the Reading and Writing Modules. The General Training Reading and Writing Modules emphasise basic survival skills in a broad social and educational context.

· Listening module (4 sections, 40 questions) duration 30 minutes

· Academic reading/general training reading module (3 sections, 40 questions) duration 60 minutes

· Academic writing/general training writing (2 tasks, 150 and 250 words) duration 60 minutes

· Speaking module (a face-to-face interview) duration 11 - 14 minutes

The first three modules - Listening, Reading and Writing - must be completed in one day. There is no break between the modules. TheSpeaking Module may be taken, at the discretion of the test centre, in the period seven days before or after the other modules.

A computerised version of IELTS Listening, Reading and Writing Modules (CBIELTS) is available at selected centres, but all centres will continue to offer paper-based IELTS and candidates will be given the choice of the medium in which they wish to take the test.

IELTS test structure explained.

IELTS Listening: This is a test of listening comprehension in the context of general language proficiency. The test is in four sections. The first two sections are concerned with social needs, while the last two are concerned with situations more closely related to educational or training contexts. Texts include both monologues and dialogues between two or three people, and are heard once only. A variety of question types are used for the forty items, including multiple choice, short-answer questions, notes/summary/flow chart completion, sentence completion, labelling a diagram and matching.

IELTS Speaking: The Speaking module is a structured interview with an emphasis on general speaking skills. It assesses whether candidates have the necessary knowledge and skills to communicate effectively with native speakers of English.

IELTS Reading: Candidates take either the Academic or the General Training Reading module. The Academic Reading module consists of texts of general interest dealing with issues which are appropriate for, and accessible to, candidates entering postgraduate or undergraduate courses. The texts of the General Training Reading module draw on social and training contexts or deal with general interest topics.

Both Reading modules consist of three passages or sections with forty questions. Question types include multiple choice, sentence or summary completion, identifying data for short-answer questions, matching lists or phrases and identifying writers’ views/attitudes.

IELTS Writing: Candidates take either the Academic or the General Training Writing module. Appropriate responses for the Academic Writing module are short essays or general reports, addressed to tutors or to an educated non-specialist audience. The General Training Writing module requires candidates to write personal semi-formal or formal correspondence, or to write on a given topic as part of a simulated class assignment.

There are two compulsory tasks. Task 1 requires at least 150 words and Task 2, the more heavily weighted, requires at least 250 words. In Task 1, Academic Writing module candidates are asked to look at a diagram, table or data and to present the information in their own words. Candidates taking the General Training Writing module are asked to respond to a given problem with a letter in Task 1. In Task 2, all candidates are presented with a point of view, argument or problem and asked to provide general factual information, outline and/or present a solution, justify an opinion, and evaluate ideas and evidence.